Finally, our logical model can be used to explore novel differentiation pathways in silico.”
“Astragalus polysaccharides (APS), extracted from the root of Astragalus membranaceus, AZD2014 purchase a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, have extensive pharmacological and strong immunomodulatory effects. In this study, the potential adjuvant effect of APS on humoral and cellular immune responses to hepatitis B subunit vaccine was investigated. Coadministration of APS with recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen significantly increased antigen-specific antibody production, T-cell proliferation and CTL (cytotoxic T lymphocyte) activity. Production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-2

(IL-2) and IL-4 in CD4(+) T cells and of IFN-gamma in CD8(+) T cells were dramatically increased. Furthermore, expression of the genes PFP, GraB, Fas L and Fas were up-regulated; interestingly, expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and the frequency of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Treg cells) were down-regulated. Expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was click here significantly increased by administration of APS. Together, these results suggest that APS is a potent adjuvant for the hepatitis B subunit vaccine and can enhance both humoral and cellular immune responses via activating the TLR4 signaling pathway and inhibit the expression of TGF-beta and frequency of Treg cells.”
“In this

paper, we present the design and performance of a MEMS-device based on the magnetostrictive effect, which can be used as a micro-loudspeaker. The device basically consists of a comb structure of monomorph bending MAPK inhibitor cantilevers with an active area up to 3.0 x 2.5 mm(2). It produces a sound-pressure-level up to 101 dB at 400 Hz in a standard 2 ccm measurement volume. We show our measurement setup as well as a mechanic-acoustic-coupled lumped element model to calculate sound pressure. The model incorporates finite element results for mechanical behavior. Measurement results validate our model assumptions. (C) 2011 American

Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3554200]“
“Synchronized gamma frequency oscillations in neural networks are thought to be important to sensory information processing, and their effects have been intensively studied. Here we describe a mechanism by which the nervous system can readily control gamma oscillation effects, depending selectively on visual stimuli. Using a model neural network simulation, we found that sensory response in the primary visual cortex is significantly modulated by the resonance between “”spontaneous” and “”stimulus-driven” oscillations. This gamma resonance can be precisely controlled by the synaptic plasticity of thalamocortical connections, and cortical response is regulated differentially according to the resonance condition. The mechanism produces a selective synchronization between the afferent and downstream neural population.